On the rainy evening of June 14, the Old Saybrook High School (OSHS) Class of 2023 gathered one last time together as they crossed the stage and received their diplomas during their graduation ceremony.

As Principal Joseph Anastasio noted, it was fitting for the class of 2023, which had put up with a rainy Washington D.C. trip, a rainy prom, and a rainy Six Flags trip to have more rain on graduation day. Due to the rainy weather, the members of the senior class donned their caps and gowns and headed to the school auditorium to sit patiently through one last round of speeches before saying goodbye to each other.

Anastasio and Associate Principal David Plotkin channeled their inner Ted Lasso when they told the class, “Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse. If you’re comfortable while you’re doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong.”

In her speech, Salutatorian Victoria Carrica received loud cheers when she admitted to the crowd that her father had been right about some of the advice he had given her through the years and shared some of that advice with her classmates.

Valedictorian Laura Day spent her speech reminding the graduates of the power of friendship.

“As I remember the funny moments I shared with my classmates and the kindness I received, I realize that these friendships helped me survive day-to-day life here at OSHS. So, as we prepare to leave the security of this family and go out into the work to build new connections, I want to remind you of the value of being a good person and a good friend,” Day said.

Day also reminded her classmates to cherish the little moments shared. “There is a quote that has been hanging on the wall of my living room since I was little.’ Enjoy the little things in life for, one day, you will look back and realize they were the big things,” Day said.

In a humorous joint speech, class speakers Peter Wisialowski and Adam Dower thanked all those who supported the graduates for “letting us grow into the people we are here today.”

After the seniors announced their class gift of a bench on the soccer field dedicated to photographer Richard Bourn, Social studies teacher and class advisor Meghan Payne was invited up to be the guest speaker.

Payne told attendees to find a way to make their legacy matter.

You will have an impact in some way. I want you to think about what that impact could be and harness what all of your positive attributes and make your life mean something to you and everyone you choose to surround yourself with,” Payne said.

“If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you. So, Class of 2023, I challenge you to make your legacy one you are proud of,” Payne said.

Superintendant Jan Perruccio read some of her favorite quotes to the class and ended on a simple one she found on a bumper sticker.

“Old Saybrook: Love our town. Love our kids. Do the right thing.”

Finally, shortly after Michael Kapij crossed the stage as the last student to receive a diploma, Madelyn Beaudoin and Emily Carmichael finished off the night with their closing remarks.

“Old Saybrook may be small, but it has a huge heart,” they said.

Then the grads were proclaimed the official Class of 2023, and the auditorium was filled with flying caps and cheers.

For more photos from Old Saybrook’s graduation day, visit this gallery from the event at: https://www.zip06.com/photo-galleries/20230620/old-saybrook-high-school-2023-commencement/